50 Year Milestone Attorneys: Admitted in 1974

July 17, 2024 by ccarns
Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.

These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 50 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.

Kenneth P. Adler

Kenneth Adler is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

Stephen M. Ayers

Stephen Ayers is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Mary, reside in Coeur d’Alene.

Paul T. Baird

Paul Baird graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he joined the Boise law firm of Clemons, Cosho, and Humphrey. He started out working primarily on the Sunshine Mine fire litigation and some other product liability litigation, but gradually shifted to estate planning, pension and profit sharing, and other commercial work. In May 1981, Paul accepted an offer to serve as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and assistant professor at O.W. Coburn School of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He taught primarily commercial law courses.

After two years there, Paul was invited to join the Reagan Administration at the Department of the Interior, serving one year as Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs and four and a half years as Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the conclusion of the Reagan presidency, Paul became a Special Master in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hearing cases filed under the Childhood Vaccine Compensation Act. In 1993, Paul was placed on the U.S. Administrative Law Judge register. In early 1994, he was appointed to a Social Security administrative law judge position in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served until his retirement in 2007. After spending 11½ years on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Paul and his wife, Linda, moved to their current home in Oceanside, California in November 2018.

Linda and Paul will be celebrating their 58th anniversary in June. They have two sons and seven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted from Ukraine.

Alfred E. Barrus

Alfred Barrus is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alfred and his wife, Kathy, reside in Burley.

Michael L. Beatty

Michael Beatty is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Michael and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James A. Bevis

James Bevis is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. James and his wife, Dianne, reside in Boise.

Greg H. Bower

Greg Bower is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Greg and his wife, Linda, reside in Boise.

Stephen C. Brown

Stephen Brown is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Stephen and his wife, Anne, reside in Boise.

Hon. Roger S. Burdick

Hon. Roger Burdick is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger resides in Boise.

Dennis L. Cain

Dennis Cain, along with his peers, can’t believe that it has been 50 years since they were somehow able to pass the bar exam and receive their license from the Idaho State Bar. Dennis graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was able to practice in Boise for 40 years in a two-man firm with his high school and college buddy, Steve Beer. For some time, he had planned to retire after 40 years at the end of 2013. That decision was reinforced when Dennis appeared on more than one occasion to learn that the opposing counsel was the son or daughter of a law school classmate.

In general, Dennis enjoyed the practice of law and was fortunate enough to work for some clients who were good and interesting people. He made a point of dealing with the process with civility and some humor and maintained his intention to have a respectful relationship with opposing counsel and members of the judiciary.

Dennis was blessed with a wonderful family. He and his wife, Nita, have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, four grandsons, and a pair of great-sons-in-laws who fortunately all live in Boise. They happily spend a great deal of time, and more in the future, trying to figure out how to get from one sporting event to the next.

The retirement years have been great for Dennis, and he always thought that his golf handicap would come down after retirement but has been proven wrong. Dennis has been on some memorable travel adventures, reads a fair number of books, and enjoys the time spent with his friends and family.

Alan J. Coffel

Alan Coffel is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Elena, reside in Nampa.

Bruce J. Collier

Bruce Collier is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Paula, reside in Ketchum.

Gregory L. Crockett

Gregory Crockett is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Gregory and his wife, Trish, reside in Boise.

Walter J. Donovan, Jr.

Walter Donovan, 90, Brig. Gen. USMC (Ret.) was born in Brooklyn, New York. Commissioned in 1956, he commanded three units, earning his law degree on active duty, at night, after returning from the Vietnam War where he served from 1967 to 1968. Admitted to the California Bar in 1974, he was chief defense counsel, 1st Marine Division, then Deputy staff judge advocate 3rd Marine Division and first Military magistrate on Okinawa, implementing the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gerstein v. Pugh. A distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, he served as Navy JAG Investigations Deputy, then as a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review. Assigned as the SJA, 1st Marine Division, he was later promoted Brig. Gen. serving in Washington, D.C. as senior lawyer in the Corps. He established the Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps position. On retirement, he was a Deputy D.A. San Diego County for 11 plus years. Moving to Boise in 1996, he failed his second retirement, passed the Idaho Bar Exam at age 64 and was briefly an Ada County DepPA. He helped grade the Idaho Bar Exam for 10 years. He met his wife of 65 years, Rita, a Navy Nurse and graduate of Filer High School and St. Al’s Nursing School, while visiting a sick Marine in Hawaii, a few months before statehood. Their three sons are Paul in Denver, Colorado, Mike in Medford, Oregon, and Tom in Boise.

Curtis H. Eaton

Curtis Eaton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was thankful for that as a springboard to several careers for him. Certainly, one of the most significant facets of the law school years was developing friendships that have endured, and grown, for over 50 years – hence, the GNBA shirt he is pictured in. Several of Curtis’ classmates formed the “Greater Non Bar Association” as a social club. It was very exclusive: a member was expected to enjoy life in the company of friends outside of the demands of the law. It was a bit of a stick in the eye of stodginess. Curtis is thankful to have been associated with the GNBA gang all of these years.

As an attorney, Curtis was in the Attorney General’s office under Tony Park, a Democrat, and Wayne Kidwell, a Republican. Curtis was a private attorney under the guidance of two outstanding lawyers, Bob Stephan and Dan Slavin. Subsequently, his career path veered toward banking, first with the independent Twin Falls Bank and Trust Company (President), then with the regional First Security Bank (area President), and finally, for a short time, with Wells Fargo (area President).

The law background was helpful in Curtis’ career as a community college administrator. At the College of Southern Idaho, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, Vice President of Student Services and Grant Funding, and for a time, Interim President. During those work years, he was on the board of a public company that was taken private and of a private company that was taken public.

For several years, he was on the Board of the Salt Lake Branch of the Federal Reserve. Governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, appointed Curtis to the Idaho State Board of Education where he was President for a year. He was re-appointed to the State Board by Republican Governor Phil Batt and has served on the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council and numerous non-profit organizations.

Curtis’ greatest satisfaction is a marriage of 55 years. He and Mardo met during undergraduate college years and have survived, and thrived, the changes in life they have chosen and the changes that have chosen them. She worked as a clinical Registered Nurse in Idaho and at the National Institutes of Health and was a nursing instructor at Boise State University after receiving an M.S. in psychology from the University of Idaho. Together, he and his wife are extremely proud of their son, Dylan (an attorney), daughter-in-law, Whitney (an attorney), and their three bright, energetic, and delightful kids.

David M. Edson

David Edson is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law. David and his wife, Debby, reside in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin C. Edwards

Melvin Edwards is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Melvin and his wife, Joan, reside in Garden City.

David G. Gadda

It was late August 1973 when David Gadda arrived in Boise with his new bride of two years. David and Cece came from Berkeley, where he went to law school and Cece’s hometown, in response to a job offer from Boise Cascade. There was a good deal of culture shock. About the only thing the two towns had in common in 1973 was the first letter of their names. They stayed for 50 years and raised three children who left for college and now have successful careers in major cities.

For the first 40 years in Boise, David practiced law in the Legal Department of Boise Cascade, ultimately serving as its General Counsel before his retirement. David’s practice was general corporate counseling with an emphasis on environmental law and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions and large, complex financing transactions. Given his principal client’s size and geographic dispersion, much of David’s practice was outside of Idaho. As issues came up, he could find himself in New York City or Washington, D.C., or, at the other extreme, in a small town in rural Louisiana or northern Minnesota. During the mid-1990s, David spent two years commuting on a weekly basis to Toronto, Canada where he worked as CFO and Administrative VP for a newsprint company Boise Cascade partially divested in an IPO. Following that company’s sale, David spent two years at Hawley Troxell before returning to Boise Cascade.

Relatively early in his career, David served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation and as its President for one year. One of David’s major accomplishments in that period was serving on the joint Bar and Foundation committee that hired Diane Minnich as the Bar/Foundation’s Executive Director. Certainly, one of the best hires he has ever made.

Since retirement, David and his wife have downsized to a small house in Boise’s North End, where they live comfortably when not at their cabin in McCall or traveling to visit their six grandchildren.

Michael S. Gilmore

After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Michael Gilmore clerked for Justice Bakes of the Idaho Supreme Court. He then joined the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he worked for 40 years and a day. For 15 years Michael worked in utility regulation, then transferred to general civil litigation, where his cases addressed issues including whether the system of public education in Idaho was consistent with the thoroughness requirement of the Idaho Constitution and whether tobacco companies had improperly withheld payments to the States under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that paid the States for the public health costs of smoking.

After retiring from the Attorney General’s Office, Michael challenged the Legislature’s attempt to restrict the right of initiative and referendum on his own behalf as a private citizen. He has also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Michael was blessed by the opportunities that he was afforded through the Attorney General’s office. He worked for six different attorneys general. The cases to which Michael was assigned allowed him to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States once, to be in double figures for arguments before the United States Courts of Appeals (the Second and Ninth), and to argue before the Idaho Supreme Court about 40 or 50 times. He also had the chance to appear in Idaho State District Courts in all seven Idaho Judicial Districts and in Federal District Courts in the Districts of Idaho and the Southern District of New York (among other things, to protect the Idaho Potato Certification Mark).

He married and raised a family in Idaho. He enjoyed Idaho’s outdoors doing things like hiking, rafting rivers, cross country skiing, and riding horses in the back country. He had the privilege of enjoying the company of friends and family during all those years. He has been very fortunate.

Raymond “Ray” C. Givens

Ray Givens graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then went to work at Idaho Legal Aid in Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene through the 1970s. Ray worked in general practice in Coeur d’Alene then from the 1990s until retirement he worked to represent Indian tribes and native people, both as a sole practitioner and in a small firm in the Coeur d’Alene and Seattle areas. Throughout his career, he was admitted and practiced in state and federal Idaho and Washington courts, various tribal courts, in five Federal Courts of Appeal, and in the United States Supreme Court.

Some notable achievements from Ray’s career include him representing clients financially unable to afford legal representation, establishing an Idaho Legal Aid Office in Coeur d’Alene, and many reported decisions from courts with successful results. In the 1990s and 2000s, he had success with tribal representation of Lake Coeur d’Alene Ownership and represented tribes during the establishment of Indian Gaming. Ray also was Tribal Representation at Hanford Nuclear Superfund Cleanup and Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup and represented Inupiat family’s damage claim against the U.S. and major oil companies with successful results.

Ray has been married to Jeanne Givens for 46 years. Jeanne has been an active Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Idaho State Representative, teacher, and mother. Ray has raised two children in Coeur d’Alene and Western Washington and has spent many summers at a cabin on Priest Lake.

Richard F. Goodson

Richard Goodson is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Richard and his wife, Jackie, reside in Boise.

John F. Greenfield

John Greenfield is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. John and his wife, Laurie, reside in Boise.

Roger M. Hanlon

Roger Hanlon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Roger and his wife, Cindy, reside in Sandpoint.

Jim C. Harris

Jim Harris and his family moved from Portland, Oregon to Boise when he was six years old. Jim attended Franklin and Koelsch Grade Schools and later attended West Jr. High and Borah High School. He received an A.A. degree with honors from Boise State University and a B.A. degree with honors from the University of Idaho.

Jim was admitted to the Willamette University College of Law in 1971. It was at the end of his second year that the Boise Draft Board decided that they needed cannon fodder more than a JAG officer with a law degree (which made little, if any, sense as one might expect). In July of 1971, Jim reported for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the heat was between 100 and 110 degrees. It only took two months of basic training in that heat for him to lose 30 pounds of body weight. He was able to avoid Vietnam and spent nearly two years at Fort Ord, California, in the Personnel Office.

In 1973, he returned to Willamette University College of Law as Corporal Jim and graduated with honors. After passing the bar exam on Jim’s return to Boise, he was offered a position with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. His friend from the University of Idaho, Senator Jim Risch, was leaving the job to join the Idaho State Senate. Another friend, Dave LeRoy, was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and Jim soon became the chief deputy. After Dave’s two-terms were up, Jim served two-terms as the elected prosecuting attorney of Ada County.

During his tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jim tried several jury trials, including five murder cases, all to conviction. In 1982, Jim ran for Attorney General and lost by approximately 1% of the vote, he decided to leave local politics and formed the firm Harris and Sutton in Boise.

Jim was an active member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served for two decades on its Board of Directors. He served as President from 1990-1991 and in 2009 was honored as the Trial Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Association.

While in private practice, Jim tried many cases, but there is one that stands out because it has proven to be impossible to forget. Robinson v. State Farm Insurance Co. was the result of the plaintiff’s disputes with the often used “paper review” scam used by several insurance companies, which were produced by independent “experts,” to undercut the opinions of treating physicians as to the cause and extent of the injuries suffered by the insured. This cookie cutter-based system was often used to determine injuries and was a violation of the duty that the insurance company had to its insurers.

An Ada County jury found that this practice was in fact fraudulent and awarded the sum of $9,000,000 to the plaintiff. Not long after, the case was noticed by national media entities, including NBC, which produced two nationwide, two-hour long, programs attacking the practices of State Farm. The case was later settled, and the “paper review” system was abolished.

In 1999, Jim opened a one-man, one secretary firm. Five years later, Jim took on an “of counsel” position for a while working from home.

Jim’s favorite activity, other than the law, has always been in politics. He was always a Republican, and at the age of 17, Jim and a friend managed to become “Honorable Sargent at Arms” at the 1964 National “Goldwater Convention” held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. And, in 1980, he was a delegate at the GOP Convention in Detroit where Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Jim is now retired but remains active in his belief in free speech and will continue to voice his concerns and opinions for as long as he can. Jim is married to Sukaluk (Kacc) who was born in North Thailand. He has three daughters and two granddaughters.

Dennis P. Harwick

Dennis Harwick was born and raised in Idaho and has lived in small towns like Council and Arco before moving to Pocatello for junior high and high school. He then spent seven years at the University of Idaho for undergraduate and law school.

After graduating law school, he was asked to create the in-house legal department for Idaho Bank & Trust (now Key Bank). In 1985, the Executive Director of the Idaho Bankers Association stopped by his office and casually told him that the Idaho State Bar was looking for a new Executive Director. Dennis immediately realized that this was something that utilized both his legal background and natural inclination for administration. Somehow, Dennis convinced the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners to hire him. Two weeks after he started, he made one of the best decisions of his life – hiring Diane Minnich!

Five years later, Dennis received a letter from the Washington State Bar Association informing him that it was looking for a new Executive Director/CEO and that he had been recommended as a candidate. After conferring with then Chief Justice Bob Bakes, Dennis decided a weekend in Seattle couldn’t hurt. About 10 minutes into the interview, he realized they were going to offer him the job. With considerable trepidation, Dennis decided to accept and spent the next seven years straightening out the Washington State Bar Association.

At that point, Dennis intended to come back to Idaho and practice, but then the Kansas Bar Association approached him, and he became a state “bartender” for the third time. In 2004, Dennis left the Kansas Bar Association and started his life over. In 2005, he became the President of the Captive Insurance Companies Association (an international insurance association for “member only” insurance companies like ALPS) where he served through his retirement in 2019. To his knowledge, Dennis is the only person who ever served as the Executive Director of three state bar associations. He also managed to have a career in every U.S. continental time zone!

For the last 16 years, Dennis and his partner have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and he now lives on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Micheel J. Hildebrand

Micheel Hildebrand is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. Micheel and his wife, Sara, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Charles A. Homer

Charles Homer graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC from 1974 to the present. He served as managing partner for Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PLLC for over 25 years and his practice focused on real estate transactions, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, commercial lending, creditor’s and debtor’s rights, and business law.

Some notable achievements from Charles’s career include being a member of the University of Idaho advisory council for several terms and serving as chairperson of the advisory council for two terms. He was on Board of Directors for the Idaho Law Foundation for several terms and served two terms as President of Idaho Law Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as the chairperson of the Real Property Section of Idaho State Bar.

Charles has received the Richard C. Fields Civility Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Service Award, Idaho State Bar/Idaho Law Foundation Professionalism Award, and a Professionalism Award from the Eagle Rock Chapter Inns of Court.

Charles has been married for 53 years to Marci Homer. He has four children and nine grandchildren. He spends the winter months in Sun City West, Arizona and the summer months in Island Park, Idaho. He continues to practice law several hours per week, primarily via remote access.

Jeffrey G. Howe

Jeffrey Howe is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Jeffrey and his wife, Susan, reside in New Meadows.

John Insinger

John Insinger spent the first year out of the University of Idaho College of Law as a private practitioner in Idaho Falls, before serving in Boise as a Deputy Ada County Prosecuting Attorney for a year and a half handling misdemeanor and felony cases, with approximately 60 jury and court cases tried to conclusion.

For nearly 40 years thereafter, he was back in private practice as partner in Risch, Goss and Insinger with a general practice that evolved into a plaintiff litigation practice focusing primarily on first-party insurance bad faith cases, with multiple financially large verdicts and settlements. John was generally retired by 2016, then began a new career in 2019 as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Jim Risch, one of his former law partners. John still works for the U.S. Senate and currently lives in Boise and Ketchum with Susan, his wife of 55 years.

Their son, Rob, and daughter, Tina, live in Denver with their four grandchildren. They often all get together in Colorado and Idaho.

Kenneth T. Jacobsen

Ken Jacobsen received his J.D. in 1974 from Gonzaga University School of Law and became a member of Idaho’s First District Bar that same year. He and his wife, Wendy, moved to Coeur d’Alene after law school, and he joined Phillip Dolan in the practice of law.

Ken’s practice evolved from a general practice including workman’s compensation, property, and family law to mostly estate and real property law. He also represented the city of Dalton Gardens and a local title company for over 30 years of his career.eHe

Ken and Wendy have been married for 54 years and have two sons, Garth who is an M.D. and Professor of Surgery in Southern California and Justin (“J.T.”) who is part owner and President of a local title company. They also have three grandsons.

He and his wife live on Coeur d’Alene Lake and enjoy boating on the lake and traveling to see grandkids.

Dean W. Kaplan

Dean Kaplan is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Dean resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James F. Kile

James (“Jim”) Kile had quite a leap from working in the orchards in Yakima, Washington to the University of Idaho College of Law (“U of I”). U of I prided itself in providing a basic “nuts and bolts” legal education without any “space age law.” At graduation, his class had the impression that they could compete at any level and be successful against even the glamorous big city guys. It was certainly true in Jim’s legal experience.

It all started during his last two years of law school as the legal intern for the prosecuting attorney in Lewiston, Idaho. What an education it was with seven murder trials in that short span, involving one case of research back to English law of the 1800s. Thereafter, Jim had the pleasure of six challenging and exciting career opportunities during his 50 years as an Idaho attorney.

Jim’s adventure started as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the federal courts in the State of Washington. He was front and center on many complex cases. Returning to Idaho, his career brought him to the State Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division, giving him 30 appeals to the State Supreme Court and other court trials, with one being a vehicular manslaughter case. Next came four years of solo private practice and all the “excitement” of leaving a secure job with no clients and only a belief that somehow a client would find Jim and come to his office.

No doubt a huge break came his way when hired into the J.R. Simplot Company legal department. With only four of them initially, they had the whole country to cover. Jim had all the cattle operations and food plants as a starter. As a young buck, it was a thrill to work at the highest levels of this company for 15 years.

The Governor then appointed Jim to the Idaho Industrial Commission as the attorney commissioner. Besides managing the workers’ compensation industry in Idaho, this job included administering a functioning agency for unemployment appeals, crime victims, worker rehab services, and employment issues.

Jim finished his legal career as the manager of the Idaho Industrial Special Indemnity Fund for claims by workers injured and wanting to qualify for lifetime benefits. Thankfully, he had eight well-qualified and specialized attorneys working for him on the cases with the Industrial Commission.

Jim and his classmates learned in law school that “the law” is a “jealous mistress.”  Thus, his spare time was spent on the golf course keeping his “mistress” at bay for many years and still to this day.

Along the way, Jim had exceptional mentors, both as attorneys and public officials. Just as rewarding were the many clients, associates, fellow attorneys, and golfing buddies that thankfully overlooked his flaws and idiosyncrasies to remain friends throughout this time. Jim notes that he has been truly blessed with an incredible legal career and is thankful to all who have made it possible.

Edward Kingsford

Edward Kingsford is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Edward and his wife, Betty Jo, reside in Syracuse, Utah.

Royce B. Lee

After graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Royce Lee began law practice as a young deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville County for three years. That time provided immediate immersion in the courtroom and with judges, which made trial work much more comfortable for him. Royce then moved on to a general civil practice which covered many different areas of law. His primary fields were family law, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal law. He found that representing clients during the divorce phase of their lives was challenging but rewarding as one could help each client learn to move forward in that transition time and begin the rebuilding process.

His family life was busy, as he and his wife, Annette, raised four children, born within five years. That time was filled with all the joys and challenges of parenting, and many hours coaching and watching their children’s sports games, school activities, homework, and vacations. His favorite activities were spending time at their cabin in Island Park and backpacking in the Tetons, the Sawtooths, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Royce climbed the Grand Teton three times and Mt. Borah twice.

During the last years of law practice and during retirement, Annette and Royce have discovered the joy of traveling to many places they never dreamed of seeing. He enjoyed every day of law practice and especially treasured the relationship built with other attorneys who were working diligently to represent their clients’ interests, while also acting professionally and civilly with each other.

Dale L. Luplow

Dale Luplow is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Dale resides in Grangeville.

Robert M. Magyar

Bob Magyar graduated from Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1967, from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1971, and from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974. Knowing that he wanted to move “out West,” he settled in Moscow and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1974.

Bob started his Moscow general practice in October 1974, and continued until 2006 when Greg Rauch became a partner. Now, Magyar, Rauch & Associates also includes partner Lawrence Moran, and associates Laurene Sorensen, Payden Ard, and Alex Gluszczak.

Bob has served as a hearing officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, on the Vandal Booster Board, as the Governor of the Moscow Moose Lodge, and as a Commissioner for Moose International.

Bob married Jill, also from Valparaiso, on New Year’s Eve 1999. They share three children and four grandchildren. Easing into retirement, Bob now works part time, looking forward to improving on his effort to completely retire in the near future. Bob and Jill enjoy spending time with their family and friends throughout the country, and especially traveling to Indiana, Oregon, California, Maui, and Alaska.

Soon they will embark on a new adventure, living full time at their home on lake Coeur d’Alene. Bob’s advice to young attorneys: Respect the law, judges, fellow attorneys, and especially your clients; always remain true to yourself; and practice law like a profession, not a job. When you look back 50 years, you’ll have no regrets.

Gary L. McClendon

Gary McClendon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Gary and his wife, Peggy, reside in Boise.

Stephen B. McCrea

Steve McCrea graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. He worked at Idaho Legal Aid Services for a year, then moved to Coeur d’Alene and had a partnership with Mike Powers. In 1977, Steve joined the Kootenai County Public Defender’s Office for three years, after which he went onto private practice.

Over the years Steve has shared office space with Ray Givens, John Luster, and Harvey Richman. Shortly before retiring in 2017, Steve joined Lake City Law. His course of practice included bankruptcy, contracts, real estate, wills, and probate.

Steve received the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section’s Professionalism Award and in 2014, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 1981 and served three terms, ending in 1994.

Steve has been married to Tere Porcarelli since 1982 and she has patiently put up with him since that time. They have two sons of whom they are proud, one who lives in Sweden and one who lives in Las Vegas. Steve enjoyed the practice of law and being associated with men and women with great minds and solid character.

William A. McCurdy

Bill McCurdy’s career began after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and he started an internship with Jerry Smith in Lewiston, followed by a clerkship with Justice Donaldson, and a year working for David Leroy at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill started at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. When he left 17 years later, Quane Smith was Idaho’s largest law firm, with 50 lawyers devoted exclusively to civil litigation.

Trials were common then and he tried cases in all districts and many of the counties in Idaho.  Early in his career, Bill was privileged to represent clients in trials against or with some of Idaho’s best lawyers, including John Hepworth, Joe Imhoff, Richard Eismann, Lloyd Webb, Richard Smith, Walt Bithell, Carl Burnham, Richard Kading, Richard Greener, Mike McNichols, Jerry Smith, Craig Meadows, Tony Cantrill, Jack Gjording, and many others. He learned a lot from those trials.

Supporting the activities of the Idaho State Bar is important to Bill. He was on the The Advocate Editorial Advisory Board for years, graded and occasionally wrote questions for the Idaho Bar Exam many times, and presented at several CLE programs.

The highlight of Bill’s Bar activities was serving as a Commissioner and President in 1990. After years of turmoil at the Bar, a good friend and law school classmate Dennis Harwick had been appointed as Idaho State Bar Executive Director. He assembled the finely tuned organization it continues to be today. His staff at that time included Diane Minnich and Michael Oths. Mark Nye, another of Bill’s law school classmates, was also a Commissioner at the time and working with him was a joy.

Justice Bakes honored Bill by including him for several years on his Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee. He had many interesting discussions with John Hepworth about discovery issues. Collegiality is important in our profession, and Bill enjoyed the opportunity to help establish the Inns of Court chapter in Boise. Years later, Larry Westberg and he helped Judge Hart establish the Inn in Twin Falls.

Just as Bill learned from senior attorneys, the contrast of Jerry Smith and Jerry Quane comes to mind. He tried to work with younger litigators in a helpful way and worked with, among others, Rob Anderson, Rob Lewis, Nick Crawford, Mary York, Tammy Zokan, and Kara Barton.

Occasionally Bill would be associated with other practitioners on litigated matters and especially enjoyed working with Susan Buxton and Kail Seibert – both excellent lawyers and good friends.

With the invaluable understanding and support of his wife, Kathleen, and the patience (usually) of his sons, Will and Christopher, Bill has enjoyed a very active and diverse litigation practice.

Kathleen and Bill have been married for 53 years and appreciate that their sons and their families live in Boise. They get to spend lots of time with them, including attending the multiple activities of their three “practically perfect” grandchildren. They travel when the mood hits.

Michael R. McMahon

Michael McMahon is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Michael and his wife, Glenda Tanette, reside in Seattle, Washington.

Richard Curtis Mellon, Jr.

Ric Mellon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and upon graduation from high school in 1962, enrolled at the University of Mississippi.  He majored in history and graduated from Ole Miss in January 1966. Upon graduation, Ric was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty as an infantry officer in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966-1967. After his military service, Ric attended the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1969-1972. He was on the staff of the College’s Law Review and was captain of the University of Tennessee’s Rugby Football Club from 1970-1971.

After a clerkship with the federal district court in Chattanooga, to pursue his interests in backpacking and kayaking, he moved to Idaho in August 1973 and began a two-year clerkship for Chief Justice Allan Shepard. Along with Jim LaRue and Bob Tyler, he joined the Boise firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans and Boyd in 1975. During his 19 years there, he had the opportunity and the privilege to work for and with Carl Burke, Peter Boyd, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel; each a diligent, accomplished, and memorable lawyer of the highest integrity and intelligence. Judges whom Ric particularly admire, in addition to Chief Justice Shepard, are Justice Robert Bakes and District Judge J. Ray Durtschi; and, on the federal bench, Ray McNichols. Some of the other attorneys whom he worked with or sometimes against, and, having done so, hold in the highest regard, are John Doerr, Jack Barrett, Bill Mauk, John Hohnhorst, Wes Merrill, Mike McLaughlin, Nicole Hancock, Chris Graham, Jeff Thomson, and Susan Buxton.

By 1994, Ric had burned himself out on trial and appellate work, so he went to work as in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. He spent almost 17 good years there. After retiring from State Farm in 2010, he returned to private practice with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, where he happily remains to this day, focusing on insurance coverage questions.

In 2011, Ric married a thoroughly engaging woman from Louisiana, Elaine Young Guillory, whom he met while working with State Farm. She is a constellation of energy, good sense, and fitness. They mountain bike uncertainly, golf feebly, play pickleball enthusiastically, and travel occasionally. Their most recent journey together was to Iceland, but apparently that was too warm for her as she has now arranged for a voyage to Antarctica in 2025.

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Donald resides in Boise.

Robert E. Onnen

Rob Onnen graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1973. He was the first student law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge during his last year. After passing the Iowa Bar Exam, he moved to Boise in the fall of 1973.

Rob worked as a VISTA attorney for Idaho Legal Aid. He then began a 20-year career as a bank attorney and lobbyist for the Idaho Bankers Association. In 1993, Bill was hired by Pioneer Title Company as Vice President and General Counsel. He started the Pioneer 1031 Company and still represents them as an Independent Contractor. He retired as President and moved to Port Angeles, Washington, in 2002. Rob served as Parish Counsel for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until recently as he and his wife have decided to move back to Idaho to be with their son and two grandsons.

Rob has served on numerous non-profit organizations, including the Boise Zoo, Boise Better Business Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, Washington, and the Port Angeles Business Association. He and his wife, Dianne, were married in Boise and celebrate their 50th anniversary in July 2024.

Owen H. Orndorff

Owen Orndorff grew up in the Chicago, Illinois northern suburbs. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1974 with an intermission for three years as an Army officer.

Owen became a member of the Illinois Bar and then started with Boise Cascade in March 1974. He went into private practice in January 1980. Owen currently focuses on estate and probate practice together with business relationships. He remains active in the independent power practice in the northwest.

Owen married Janet Findlay on August 31, 1968. He has three children and 10 grandchildren. All three children graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Janet passed away in March 2013 and Owen remarried Stephanie Martinez. He currently has two stepdaughters in eighth grade and an older stepdaughter. Besides practicing law, he owns a cattle ranch in Owyhee County and interests in two power plants in Montana plus two businesses.

Jacob W. Peterson

Jake Peterson graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law then began his law practice at the Attorney General’s Office when Tony Park was the attorney general. He worked under the guidance of J.D. Williams, representing the State before the Supreme Court on criminal appeals.

After Tony Park lost his election to Wayne Kidwell, private practice beckoned, and Jake’s practice gravitated to filing bankruptcies for individuals. Over the years Jake was in practice, he filed over 13,000 Chapter 7 bankruptcies and Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plans.

About 30 years ago, Jake purchased a house in Boise and converted it to an office where he practiced law. He contacted Kathy McCallister, the Chapter 13 Trustee, to see if there was an attorney she could recommend as an associate. She only had one name, Hyrum Zeyer. After a few years of working in Jake’s office, Hyrum purchased the practice and the office. Jake’s name is still on the office door but he has been retired for six years.

Jake has five grown children: two dentists, a caregiver, a nurse, and a beautician; and 13 grandchildren. Unfortunately, Jake’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he copes with her disease, and she is living at home with caregivers. Jake is thankful for his life and is content.

Bradley B. Poole

Bradley Poole is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Bradley and his wife, Christine, reside in Boise.

Michael E. Powers

Mike Powers graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been fortunate to miraculously pass the bar exam then to have represented criminal defendants, plaintiffs, and defendants in civil cases, and claimants and sureties in worker compensation cases.

Mike’s 20-year stint as a referee/mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission was the highlight of his career and by far the most challenging and satisfying.

Since his retirement, Mike has lived in Boise and enjoys his walks on the greenbelt and playing pool with his son (who almost always wins).

 

 

Frederick L. Ramey

Frederick Ramey graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Jennifer, live in Boise.

Michael F. Reuling

Michael Reuling is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Michael and his wife, Marianne, live in Boise.

Lawerence M. Richards

Lawrence Richards is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Lawrence and his wife, Lydia, live in Boise.

Steven K. Ricks

Steven K. Ricks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

Kenneth D. Roberts

Kenneth Roberts is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law.

Jay D. Rubenstein

Jay Rubenstein is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. Jay and his wife, Gena, live in New Jersey.

Edwin G. Schiller

Ed Schiller graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and then started practicing law with his father, James E. Schiller. His younger brother, James A. Schiller, joined them in 1982. In 1994, his father died, and his brother became a Magistrate Judge. For the next 26 years, Ed practiced as a sole practitioner. For 46 years his office was in the same location in Nampa. At the end of 2020, Ed closed his office and retired and became a Senior member of the Idaho State Bar. He currently volunteers at the Nampa Train Depot Museum.

Ed has been a member of the Nampa Elks for 55 years and a member of Kiwanis for 47 years. He served on the Nampa library board from 1998-2006. For about eight years, Ed served on the National Board of the Vandal Scholarship Fund. From 2002 through 2019, he was an active member of the Payette Lakes Ski Patrol. For 10 years, Ed was on the board and was treasurer of Nampa Business Improvement District.

The first year Ed practiced was in the old Canyon County Courthouse. Every time a train came by, they would have to pause court because of the noise from the rattling of the windows. When he first started out, they did not have a public defender. They were appointed to cases on a rotating basis. After that, his practice was mainly civil law.

Edwin has three children, five grandchildren, and his life partner, Marge Fender. They reside in Nampa.

Talbot “Tony” Shelton (dec.)

Tony graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and after graduation he opened his law practice in 1975 in the small rural community of Bonners Ferry. He worked in criminal and civil law handling a diverse range of cases. He advised and represented many clients and found it rewarding helping people find successful resolution. He served as a prosecutor from 1979-1980 and was also the public defender.

Tony has three daughters, Zena, Sadie, and Ellia, and one son, Nikolas. Tony’s wife, Lisa, still lives in Bonners Ferry.

 

 

Fredrick V. Shoemaker

Fred Shoemaker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. Thanks to the broad experience gained as Webb, Johnson, Greener & Tway’s only associate, Fred learned how to try cases, first as a criminal defense lawyer, later converting that experience to civil work. He also practiced before the PUC, the Industrial Commission, and served a stint as a registered lobbyist. Ultimately, he gravitated to concentrating in real estate, both litigating and “desk work,” areas which he enjoyed sharing with younger lawyers.

He helped save the Egyptian Theatre from the wrecking ball, obtained a jury verdict of $3.5 million against the Idaho Transportation Department (then the highest condemnation award in Idaho), assisted in writing and passing Idaho’s Land Use Planning Act, and assisted Boise Housing Corporation and other non-profits in developing or converting over 4,000 affordable housing units. He was also the former chair, Board of Directors, Endowment Trustees of the Treasure Valley YMCA.

Fred has been very happily married to Wendy for 24 years, having shared countless outings to the hills and on the waters of Idaho, notably from the Shoemaker Cabin in McCall. And thus far, successful co-parents of daughter, Emily, and stepson, Daine. Fred has owned and worn out six bicycles, including one built for two.

Ursula I. Spilger

Ursula Spilger is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ursula resides in Texas.

Newal Squyres

Newal Squyres graduated from Texas Tech University Law School in 1972 and clerked with Judge Ingraham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court for two years before moving to Idaho with his wife, Linda. At this time the Eleventh Circuit Court did not exist, and the Fifth bore no resemblance to what it is today. He interviewed several firms in Boise and eventually found the right fit with Eberle Berlin. This started Newal’s never ending process of learning to be a trial lawyer.

One of Newal’s early mentors was Fifth Circuit Judge Griffin Bell, who was appointed Attorney General by President Carter. This gave them an unexpected and life altering experience. From 1977-1979 he worked on Judge Bell’s personal staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and was among six to eight lawyers who met daily for breakfast with the Attorney General. He was also a part of a small team dealing almost exclusively with national security and counterintelligence matters, including passage and implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”). Judge Bell’s lasting example was to make the tough daily decisions by being a problem solver with the rule of law as the bedrock from which to act.

For the past 34 years Newal has been a partner at the wonderful firm of Holland & Hart, providing the opportunity to work on all sort of cases, both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Some of his most satisfying cases have been pro bono for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Thanks to encouragement from Fred Hoopes, Newal had the privilege of serving as a Bar Commissioner, meeting and working with lawyers from all over Idaho. He learned firsthand the vital role Diane Minnich has played in keeping our Bar on track; and Maureen Laughlin for inviting him to be a trainer in the University of Idaho Trial Advocacy Clinic for many years. Another humbling high point of Newal’s career was being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Newal’s family is what keeps him going. His wife, Linda, led the way to Idaho, and he’s been trying to keep up with her ever since. She is fun, kind, nice, and beautiful; an outstanding mother and grandmother. His family includes Isaac, a partner in a major communication consulting firm, and granddaughter, Sophie, who just finished her first year of college. Ruby is practicing for a Seattle firm while living in Missoula with her family, Jeff, Elise, and Sylvia. Newall and Linda thoroughly enjoy many road trips there, where he sometimes must Zoom mediate from the basement office.

He is proud and feels very fortunate to have been an Idaho lawyer for 50 years and plans to keep at it for a little longer. Newal also notes Volume 96 of the Idaho Reports lists the lawyers admitted in 1974. He says it’s a formidable list of fine lawyers and human beings.

Kristie K. Stafford

Kris Stafford started out as a part-time deputy, part-time prosecutor in Moscow, Idaho, and a full-time private attorney. She “retired” as a deputy after 11 years and maintained her private practice in Moscow until 1989.

In 1989, Kris and her husband “escaped” Moscow and moved to Columbia, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. She worked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Parole Commission as an attorney dealing with federal prisoner lawsuits, mostly habeas corpus and suits over denial of parole, for four years. After leaving the U.S. Parole Commission, Kris represented the University of Maryland Foundation as in-house counsel and was director of its real estate gifting program until 1999.

In 1999, the couple moved to Denver for further adventures. Kris was the attorney for an internet company that did not survive the internet “crash” of 2000-2001. Since 2002, she has been the attorney for a specialized escrow company in Denver, doing all its legal work.

In 2011, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where she did not take the Kansas Bar Exam as taking the previous three states exams were more than enough. She was still the attorney for the escrow company through the magic of the internet and cell phones.

From being an attorney who dealt with all kinds of problems for her clients, she is now strictly a transactional attorney, which is much less stressful – most of the time. Kris maintains her Idaho and Colorado Bar memberships but let Maryland and the District of Columbia go inactive.

For fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, where they lived, they explored, were tourists, searched out great places to eat, and took advantage of what each place offered. Surprisingly, Kansas is not nearly as flat as she thought it would be. There are, however, no mountains. They have taken thousands of photographs of everywhere they have been, especially since 2000, when digital cameras came out. They plan on continuing to do so in the future.

Myrna A.I. Stahman

Myrna Stahman got her B.A. with distinction from the University of Minnesota, and married Robert Stahman in 1967. She was a caseworker in Washington from 1967-1968 and a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Liberia, West Africa from 1968-1970, then got her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. She was in the Army JAGC, Third Armored Division Headquarters, Frankfurt, West Germany from 1974-1977 and was an attorney with the Idaho Attorney General’s office from 1977-2004.

Myrna is one of the first 50 women licensed to practice law in Idaho. She was one of the first 25 female Army JAGC attorneys and the only female commissioned officer at the Third Armored Division Headquarters.

Upon returning to Idaho in 1977, Myrna began in the Consumer Protection Division of the Idaho Attorney General’s office. In 1981, she transferred to the Criminal Division Appellate Unit. During Myrna’s 24 years in the Appellate Unit, she argued more cases before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals than any other attorney during that time, receiving published opinions in over 580 cases and unpublished opinions in hundreds of cases. Myrna enjoyed working with many law school interns in the Appellate Unit, supervising the writing of appellate briefs, and sitting at counsel table when interns argued cases before the Idaho Court of Appeals.

Myrna worked with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, teaching criminal law classes at their bi-annual meetings and providing advice and assistance to individual prosecutors and their deputies throughout the years. She taught at the annual judicial education training of district and magistrate judges.

Myrna was a member of the American Association of Appellate Attorneys. In 1996 she served as a Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C. assisting attorneys preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myrna authored the petition for certiorari on an Idaho Supreme Court criminal decision. Upon the grant of certiorari, she assisted and sat at counsel table when the case was argued by Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones.

Myrna has been a long-time advocate for young people and women. She was active in Girl Scouts, school volunteering, school literacy programs, the Boise Zonta Club, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and law related education. She is a steadfast friend to many people. Her unwavering support has helped many individuals through the hard times of their lives.

Myrna and Bob have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Kayla, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle. Their son, Jeff, received a degree in golf course management from Kansas State University after spending time at Massey University in New Zealand. He is the owner of Turf Mend, headquartered in Newberg, Indiana.

Myrna, who learned to knit as a child, has been involved in the world-wide knitting community for many years. She has taught knitting throughout the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Orkney Islands, Italy, and on knitting cruises. In 2000 she authored and published Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves – Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Top Down and Seamen’s Scarves, referred to as a classic.

Myrna and Bob enjoy spending time at a lake home in Minnesota near where they both grew up, and traveling throughout the world, often to places where fiber-producing animals are raised, including South Africa, New Zealand, Shetland, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Delbert W. Steiner

Delbert Steiner is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Delbert and his wife, Ellen, reside in Lewiston.

Robin J. Stoker

Robin Stoker is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robin and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Arizona.

Ronald L. Swafford

Ron Swafford grew up in Cooper Basin, Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Mackay in a powerless and unplumbed home which was only accessible by a dirt road. His youth assisted him in preparation for the practice of law as he became adjusted to curves, roadblocks, bogs, mud holes, rocks, and surprises around every corner.

He was originally a schoolteacher which came to a screeching halt when he spent time as a student teacher. He quickly realized that the adversarial process against lawyers and judges was less stressful than facing a swarm of teenagers in a classroom.

Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and began practicing law in Idaho Falls in 1974. He remembers the early anxious days feeling excitement when someone came in the door, only to learn it was the mail man. The practice of law changed dramatically since he first started. Initially documents were prepared on a typewriter, with four carbons between pages. Mail and hand delivery were exclusive. He incessantly learned by trial and error and vividly remembers his first jury trial because of his ill-prepared cross-examination questions which invariably bolstered the opponent’s case.

During the first few decades of practice, Ron’s gladiator ego led him to track wins and losses. Over time he realized that a preferrable goal was to work toward a fair result. During the early years of his practice, attorneys were called on a rotating basis to present individuals charged with crimes. He recalls the look of terror in estate planning attorneys’ eyes when they got assigned to serious felony cases.

In 1977, Ron and Harlow McNamara approached the Bonneville County Commissioners with a proposal to establish the first public defender contract. They were successful and spent days in court and nights locked in old jail cells interviewing clients. He often ate dinner in the jail cell with the inmates burning his lips on the hot metal coffee cups. They did this for the term of the contract for the grand sum of $750 per month. He stopped his work as a public defender after about 10 years.

Ron’s experiences encompass a full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil. From axe murders to medical malpractice. His experiences against his legal adversaries generated a deep respect and admiration for many of his colleagues, some of whom have passed on. These extremely skilled warriors honed their skills and while shredding your cases in a perpetually respectful and courteous manner. The mark of true professionals.

He continues to practice with his partner, albeit in a selective manner. Only accepting cases for which they have strong feelings toward. Ron wants to thank the many members of the Bar and Judiciary who have been his friends over the years. He goes on to say that it was an interesting, intriguing, and frustrating trip he will never regret.

Richard W. Sweney

Richard W. Sweney obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics in 1968 from Drexel Institute of Technology. While in undergrad and after graduation he worked at a Naval laboratory based in Maryland. He continued his studies to the graduate level in mathematics part time at the University of Maryland. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Maryland, Francis King, Carey School of Law and obtained his J.D. in 1974. He sat for the Idaho Bar Exam later that summer and was admitted in October of the same year.

After admission Richard worked with Scott Reed, an environmental law specialist in Coeur d’Alene, as he intended to specialize in that area. He was familiar with North Idaho because he had done some experimental work at the Naval test facility at Bayview. In Richard’s early practice he obtained some environmental law experience representing the Kootenai County Planning Commission and the Panhandle Health District. He provided legal representation to several small municipalities in Shoshone County as well and did a stint as a deputy prosecutor in that county in the late 1970s. He was in a partnership from 1979 to 1987 with Ed Anson, now deceased. Richard joined the law firm of Lukins & Annis, PS in 1987 and remained with the firm until he left active practice in December 2019.

Richard was one of the organizers of the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section in the early 1980s. He served on the Section governing board for several years and was the chairman from 1986-1987, received the Section’s Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award. He made several seminar presentations and published several articles on bankruptcy law, commercial law, and litigation. Mr. Sweney assisted the organization of and then served as general counsel for Mountain West Bank for 25 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Fay, for 50 years. Fay was a high school English teacher in Coeur d’Alene and retired in 2011. They have a son, Rover, an engineer and the Vice President of Battery Engineering for Lithos Energy, Inc. in Hayward, California. Rob and his wife, Parmita (also an engineer), have a young daughter, Anika.

Richard says the practice of law is very demanding and labor intensive. Every accomplished, successful lawyer he knew during his career worked hard, there were no exceptions. While it was a rewarding career with quality work and clients, there is much else to experience and explore in life. Since leaving active practice, Richard has been studying and learning about developments in mathematics and science, subjects that he set aside during his legal career and now has time to focus on again.

Bruce L. Thomas

Bruce Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Bruce and his wife, Victoria, live in Garden City.

Richard S. Udell

Bruce Udell is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Richard and his wife, Paige, live in Montana.

William L. Vasconcellos

After graduating from Stanford University with departmental honors in 1967, Bill Vasconcellos received his law degree in April of 1971 from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall.

Bill’s first job out of law school was a position as law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson.  Since his employment did not begin until September of 1971, Bill and his wife, Jena, picked up a car in Germany and drove all around Europe for four months, including venturing into Hungary and down the entire coast of what was then Yugoslavia – truly the trip of a lifetime.

Bill and Jena moved to Boise in September of 1971, motivated in part by the fact Bogus Basin was only 16 miles away.  During his time at the Supreme Court, Bill and Judge Donaldson could often be seen playing tennis during the noon hour.

It was in 1971 that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Reed, which for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment had gone into effect in 1868, ruled that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited arbitrary discrimination against women.  Bill remembers that Justice Donaldson was very proud of the fact that as a District Court judge hearing this case, he had reached the same conclusion!

After moving to Reno for a year, where Bill worked for the County District Attorney’s office, heading up their newly created consumer protection division, Bill and Jena decided they missed Idaho and moved back to Boise.

In 1976 Bill was hired as an associate attorney at Eberle & Berlin, where Bill’s practice centered on real estate.  In September of 1988, Bill sent a short memo to his law partners, saying that, “I have decided to make my avocation my vocation” – and specifically, that he had decided to accept a position as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Boise.

After 20 years as an advisor with Merrill Lynch, Bill transitioned over to UBS Financial Services (the world’s largest wealth manager), where he has been a Wealth Management Advisor, based in Boise, for the past 15 years.  Professionally, Bill has held the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation since 2001 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation since 2007. Bill is also a Member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for a number of local community organizations, including 12 years on the Board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and nine years on the Board for the Bogus Basin Recreational Association.  While Bill was on the Bogus Basin Board, the Board decided to hire Mike Shirley, who came up with the idea of offering a low-priced season pass ($195 initially) – an idea that was not only very successful for Bogus Basin, but which also set a trend for ski areas around the country.

Skiing has always been a passion for the Vasconcellos family, with the “kids” (Brett and Marisa) becoming expert skiers, and with Bill and Jena’s two granddaughters continuing that tradition. In recent years, Bill and Jena have enjoyed skiing in Italy (at Cortina d’Ampezzo) and in France (at Val d’Isere and Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest interconnected ski area). And these days, Bill still enjoys having a season pass at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort.

Finally, Bill has been serving on the Boise Airport Commission since the Mayor appointed him to the Commission in 2014. And he is currently serving as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Boise State Public Radio.

 

Jerry L. Wegman

Jerry Wegman is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Jerry and his wife, Ronne, live in Moscow.

Robert E. Williams

After growing up in Jerome and serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand Robert received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1971. That same year he married Susan Thompson. One week after they moved to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1974. After surveying employment opportunities, they decided to return to Idaho to raise a family. His career started with Frank Rettig and Gene Fredricksen in Jerome in 1974 and the firm of Rettig, Fredricksen, and Williams was formed two years later. Robert says it was a special delight to witness his son, Briand, and daughter-in-law, Kim, join the firm, become parents, and grow in the practice of law.

Robert handled everything that came in the door in the early years of his practice and did part-time prosecuting work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the great transition of the Magic Valley agricultural economy into a vertically integrated behemoth based on dairy farming began to unfold. Jerome was the geographic center of this sea-change and Robert became heavily involved. Most of his practice since has involved agriculture and commercial transaction, entity formation, which was all satisfying work. He also did some estate planning and probate, often for families he has represented for decades.

Robert served as administrator of the Theron Ward Inn of Court for many years, received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2011, and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2016. He served as Jerome City Attorney for 33 years. Robert was the Trustee of the Jerome School district for seven years, and a founding member of the Jerome School District Foundation where he continues to serve. From 2017-2019 he returned to New Zealand with his wife where he served as Associate Area Legal Counsel in the Pacific Area Office of the LDS church. Susan was his assistant. They retain the greatest affection for the wonderful country, region, and people. He also served as an officer, director, or committee member in a host of other non-profit organizations, and in church callings.

Robert says it has been a privilege to practice law with partners and associates of the highest integrity. His staff members are wonderfully talented and loyal. Several have worked for him for decades, and more like family than employees.

Robert and Susan have been many hours in most every gym, football field, track, and dance recital facility in southern Idaho supporting their seven children and now 21 grandchildren. Their family group chat averages more than 100 notifications a day. Nothing has brought them more happiness than witnessing their family members love and serve each other and become responsible citizens.

It has been a great life. The legal profession, as once observed by Abraham Lincoln, is a useful one. It can be a noble one, and he has witnessed nobility in the conduct of many of his colleagues in the law. The practice of law has enabled Robert to raise and educate his family and to contribute (hopefully) to the betterment of the community and a very small piece of the world. He is grateful for this.

Andrew G. Wilson II

At the time of Andrew’s admission to the Idaho State Bar he was working for the U.S. Veterans Administration. In 1975 he became a public defender for Ada County. Then he entered private practice in Boise. In 1980 he was appointed by Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands headquartered on the Island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was admitted to the Trust Territory Bar in 1981. Passed the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands Bar in 1982. This group established judicial systems for the new island governments. Andrew was admitted to the Federated States of Micronesia Bar and the Republic of the Marshall Island Bar.

He returned to the U.S. in 1985 and was admitted the New York Bar. In 1986 he moved to Virigina and was admitted to that Bar and then moved again to Annapolis in 1992 where he was admitted to the Maryland Bar as well. Andrew retired in 2012. In his 38 years of practice, he was a government agency lawyer, a public defender, had a general private practice, an Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and spent the last 20 years doing debtor bankruptcy work specializing in mortgage lender fraud.

Andrew was the director of all atomic radiation issues stemming from the atmospheric testing program on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. His notable achievements include multiple visits to testify before congress and as an accredited delegate to the United Nations Trusteeship Counsel testifying at the U.N. about the U.S. efforts to clean up the radioactive contamination in those areas and the return for the indigenous population.

Andrew has been married to Roberta Wilson for 46 years. They enjoy traveling and have been to many parts of the world. His true passion in life is sailing and sailboat racing. Living in Annapolis, Roberta and Andrew have competed in sailing events from Block Island, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida. They have taken two, one-year time-outs to sail the Bahamas and Caribbean. They still own and race sailboats.

Jeffrey M. Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson is a graduate of the University of Denver and Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He has been in private practice since the fall of 1974. He served on the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 1992-1995 and was the President of the Idaho State Bar in 1995. Jeffrey also served as the Chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association in 1995.

Jeff’s wife of 42 years, Brenda, and his children, Darcy, Renee, and Jeff, have all at one time or another worked in Jeff’s office. At the time of his swearing-in Jeff was an unemployed newcomer who didn’t know a single lawyer or judge in the state. Over the course of his career Jeff has been fortunate to have practiced with many skilled and capable attorneys and was mentored by many others. Jeff will leave it to others to determine who they were. Idaho and the Idaho State Bar have been very good to Jeff. He and Brenda split time between their homes in Boise and New Meadows. Jeff wants to congratulate all the other Milestone Honorees.

Donald R. Workman

Donald Workman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Donald and his wife, Laura, reside in Arizona.

Ben Yamagata

Ben Yamagata is a graduate of George Washington University Law School. Ben lives in Washington, D.C.

Benito T. Ysursa

Benito Ysursa is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Benito and his wife, Penny, live in Garden City.